31/3/22, 11:31 The Violin Methods and Teachings of D.C.

Dounis - Spinditty

The Violin Methods and Teachings of

D.C. Dounis
GOH TONG KEAT • NOV 12, 2021

Tong Keat has an M.A. in Violin Performance from MTSU in Tennessee. He is the founder of Just
Violin, a free resources site for violinists.

Dounis: The Violin Doctor

Demetrius Constantine Dounis was an influential Greek violin pedagogue of the twentieth century.
His treatises on violin technique cover many areas. Still, he was mainly known for his approach to
the proper ergonomics of violin playing and the development of muscular strength and flexibility in
different parts of the hand.

Trained in Vienna with František Ondříček, Dounis later enrolled as a medical student at the
University of Vienna. His enthusiasm for the physical aspects of violin playing may have stemmed
from his medical studies. He worked as the professor of the violin at the Salonika Conservatory in
Greece before relocating to England and, subsequently, the United States.

The following discussions included paraphrased forewords from each of Dounis' publications.

The Artist's Technique of Violin Playing, Op.12

This book is divided into two parts. Part one addresses the left hand, while part two discusses the
bow. It is one of his most extensive publications.

The first part covers seven subtopics, including:

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Shifting

Vertical and horizontal movements of the fingers

Scales

Double-stops

Three/four-note chords

Harmonics

Pizzicato

Explanations and instructions were given for each subtopic and a list of exercises that cover the
entire range of the violin. The goal of these works, according to Dounis, is to solve all the technical
problems with the least amount of time and effort.

In part two, Dounis simplified the entire range of bowing techniques into two: the Simple Détaché
and the Accentuated Détaché. Dounis provided a "Genealogical Picture of Bow Strokes" that
explains how, for example, Martelé and Spiccato originated from an accentuated Détaché.

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The Absolute Independence of the Fingers, Op.15

This book is also divided into two parts. It is as much an exercise for left-hand finger independence
as training for the brain.

The range of motions required here include:

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Vertical (dropping and lifting, trills)

Horizontal (moving the finger a half-step up or down)

Plucking an open string

Holding down a note

Each finger has a different task, and it requires great concentration and complete finger
independence.

Dounis advised that the left hand should be free to vibrate as often as possible while doing the
exercises. As soon as tension or pain is felt, the playing must be stopped. It is very challenging
initially, and the players should start by practicing with each pair of fingers before attempting to play
with all four fingers simultaneously.

In part two, all four fingers will be moving either horizontally, vertically, or plucking. There is no
passive action where a finger is just holding down a note like in part one.

Other Books in The Dounis Collection

Preparatory Studies, Op.16 - This prepares the left hand to play thirds and fingered octaves.
According to Dounis, the practice of thirds is the most helpful way to shape the left hand into the
correct placement and position, while practicing fingered octaves promotes finger stretch.

Fundamental Trill Studies, Op.18 - Trills are essentially vertical actions - dropping and lifting
the fingers. The objective of these exercises is to promote speed and rhythm.

The Violin Players' Daily Dozen, Op.12 - This is a set of twelve fundamental exercises that
cover a wide range of techniques, both in the left hand and right hand.

The Staccato, Op.21 - An entire book dedicated to the studies of staccato. Dounis believes that
the mastery of staccato bowing is the "thorough development of accentuation in every part of the
bow."

New Aids to the Technical Development of the Violinist, Op.27 - Exercises aimed to develop
independence of the bow from the left hand. It contains unusual string crossings that are meant
to challenge the players.

Studies in Chromatic Double-Stops for the Violin, Op.29 - This is a set of studies on the
chromatic movements for double-stops of various intervals.

The Higher Development of Thirds and Fingered Octaves, Op.30 - A sequel to the
Preparatory Studies, Op.16 focuses on thirds and fingered octaves.

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An hour of violin lessons in Berlin is an hour where you get the child interested in
music. An hour in a violin lesson in Palestine is an hour away from violence, is an
hour away from fundamentalism.

— Daniel Baremboim

© 2019 Goh Tong Keat

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